The Chief Selector of the national cricket team, Inzamam-ul-Haq, has revealed the squads for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup and the ODI series against Afghanistan. The selection process involved consultation with Captain Babar Azam and key team figures, including Mickey Arthur and Grant Bradburn.
For the Asia Cup, a 17-member squad has been chosen, with notable exclusions and inclusions. Saud Shakeel, who performed well in the Test series against Sri Lanka, has secured a spot in the 18-member squad for the Afghanistan series but missed out on the Asia Cup squad.
The Asia Cup 17-member squad includes Captain Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhr Zaman, Imamul Haque, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Haris, Shadab Khan (Vice Captain), Muhammad Nawaz, Osama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi.
Meanwhile, the 18-member squad for the Afghanistan series consists of the same core players along with Saud Shakeel, making his return after performing well in the Test series. Notable changes from the previous ODI series against New Zealand include the inclusion of Tayyab Tahir and Faheem Ashraf, replacing Shan Masood and Ehsanullah. Faheem Ashraf, after a two-year absence, makes a comeback to the team.
Tayyab Tahir finds himself in the ODI squad for the second time, having been part of the team in the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year.
Saud Shakeel, who has played five ODIs, gets another opportunity after his last appearance against Australia in Lahore in March 2022, where Pakistan successfully chased a target of 348 runs.
Shan Masood misses out due to performance issues, while Ehsanullah is focused on his elbow rehab program under PCB’s medical panel.
The 50-over Asia Cup is set to kick off with the Pakistan-Nepal match in Multan on August 30. This marks Pakistan’s first time hosting a multinational event since 2008.
Before the Asia Cup, the national team will engage in an ODI series against Afghanistan, with two matches scheduled in Hambantota on August 22 and 24. The series will conclude with the third ODI in Colombo on August 26.
